Utilities' failure to plan for DER surge promises missed opportunities, increased costs, analysts say

Utilities can use skyrocketing customer-owned DER to balance rising penetrations of variable renewables on their systems, if they take on the big work of distribution system planning.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 24, 2019

Madison, Wisconsin, cab fleet is first in nation to go all-Tesla

The $5 million Green Cab Madison project is backed by tech firm Zerology, which also plans to build a 600-kilowatt solar array for daytime charging and to offset night charging.

By Jason Plautz • Oct. 18, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

Electricity Supply and Demand

After nearly two decades of flat demand, U.S. electricity consumption reached an all-time high in 2024 and is expected to continue rising. This trendline brings together the best of Utility Dive’s coverage of emerging trends in supply and demand and the decisions being made today that will impact the power system for years to come. 

By Utility Dive staff

EV charging promises a demand response bonanza for utilities, if they can handle it

Aggregated flexible load of high EV penetrations will be lucrative in demand response markets, but for now smaller EV demand gives utilities management practice.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 18, 2019

Electric revolution: How are cities overcoming EV range anxiety?

Cities need a wide-ranging strategy if they are to help more residents go electric in a way that is accessible and equitable, analysts say.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 17, 2019

With 10% penetration, EVs could shift all residential peak load to night, analysis of SoCal Ed finds

Jackson Associates analyzed 5,000 Southern California Edison customer loads and concluded that electric vehicles could be used as a Virtual Power Plant capable of smoothing out the utility's residential peak demand.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 17, 2019

Ohio Supreme Court nixes cap on FirstEnergy efficiency spending, but state slated to drop standard

The court overturned a ruling from state regulators that capped energy efficiency outlays for FirstEnergy, but state efficiency spending was recently slashed to help pay for coal and nuclear plant subsidies.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 17, 2019

St. Louis releases inaugural energy benchmarking report for buildings

More efficient building performance would reduce the city's GHG emissions by at least 11%, saving more than $65 million in annual energy costs. 

By Cailin Crowe • Oct. 16, 2019

Electric revolution: As EV demand increases, can utilities and cities keep up?

Utilities are increasingly helping cities prepare for transportation electrification, while confronting increased power generation and delivery needs — often to areas already experiencing high demand.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 16, 2019

Plugging In: Colleges seek partners to help reach energy goals

As more energy customers set goals for lower emissions, some institutions are tapping the private sector for technical expertise and financial support to advance sustainability.

By Hallie Busta • Oct. 14, 2019

6 US regions leading the way on electric buses

A new report found that electric buses can be successful in a diverse mix of cities, even those with cold winters such as Chicago and Cambridge, MA. 

By Jason Plautz • Oct. 11, 2019

DOE must implement 4 long-delayed efficiency standards, 9th Circuit Rules

The rules, initiated under the Obama Administration but delayed by President Trump's Energy Department, could save U.S. households and businesses at least $8 billion over 30 years, advocates say.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 11, 2019

Mayors announce Global Green New Deal at C40 Summit

A coalition of 94 mayors showed support of the deal, intended to encourage emissions reduction in the transportation, buildings, industry and waste sectors.

By Cailin Crowe • Oct. 10, 2019

Boston to require carbon-neutral design for new city buildings

The city's updated Climate Action Plan calls for decarbonizing large buildings, which could cut citywide emissions nearly 40% by 2050. 

By Jason Plautz • Oct. 9, 2019

Minnesota shuts down oil, manufacturing groups' attempt to derail Xcel EV pilot

Five industrial groups asked the state to reconsider approval of Xcel's $25 million electric vehicle program. Clean energy and EV stakeholders say oil-backed opposition is expected to increase as EVs rise in the market.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 9, 2019

As CCAs take over utility customers, local renewable generation emerges as the next big growth driver

The demand for customer choice has the potential to quicken the power system's transition toward cheaper, cleaner electricity, and is moving beyond California.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 8, 2019

These trends are defining the future of energy efficiency: Here's how utilities can prepare

Utilities must leverage technology to modernize their business models, maximize program value and maintain relevance in the new, customer-centric environment.

By Michael Mernick • Oct. 8, 2019

Attracting next-gen urban EV consumers will require fancy footwork from charging companies

The environmental and financial rewards are substantial for companies that figure out how to provide reliable, cost-effective charging in public parking garages.

By William Sierzchula • Oct. 7, 2019

NYC picks 9 buildings for 'deep energy retrofits'

The retrofits follow passage of the Climate Mobilization Act, which set a goal to reduce government operation emissions 50% by 2030. 

By Jason Plautz • Oct. 2, 2019

Maryland sees biggest energy efficiency improvements, Kentucky largest decline: ACEEE

Maryland's EmPOWER program expansion bumped it up three slots in the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy's annual state rankings, while Kentucky dropped nine slots.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 2, 2019

Renewable gas or electrification? Minnesota's high stakes experiment on building decarbonization

CenterPoint Energy proposed a green tariff for renewable natural gas that was rejected by Minnesota regulators, but the utility says the fuel is a viable path to decarbonization.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 1, 2019

Pittsburgh becomes second city in the world to join UN energy efficiency program for buildings

The United Nations and Green Building Alliance signed an agreement with the city to establish an International Center of Excellence on High Performance Buildings in order to cut building emissions.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 30, 2019

Uber, EVgo partner to expand ride-share electrification

The companies signed an MOU to research use of EVs on the platform and assess where more charging infrastructure is needed.

By Jason Plautz • Sept. 27, 2019

Northeastern utilities aim to 'crush and flatten' system peaks as DERs boost grid efficiency

DER providers and utilities have found shared market interests in New England, leading to cooperative BYOD programs that provide a range of benefits for customers and the power system.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 23, 2019

ACEEE: 'Ambitious' energy efficiency could halve US emissions by 2050

If cities are to hit climate goals and remain in step with targets outlined in the Paris climate agreement, they will need to take bold action, a new American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy report finds.

By Chris Teale • Sept. 19, 2019

San Jose becomes largest city requiring all-electric buildings, as local climate actions rise

The new requirements go into effect next year and aim to decrease solar and storage costs, increase the availability of electric vehicle charging and encourage the use of more efficient appliances.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 19, 2019